The smell of spring is in the air. We dream of warm, lazy summer days on the beach and enjoying all the farm fresh bounty that our fields have to offer. The smell of fresh baked breads, unique creations by our talented artisans and cultural culinary delights that tingle the taste buds are plentiful. Local music, laughter and friendship are always in abundance at the Market. Here, everyone is family.

As you plan your Maritime vacation or staycation, be sure to add the New Glasgow Farmers Market to your trip. It’s the perfect start to any weekend! After your trip to the Market, be sure to visit our surrounding communities on the Northumberland Shore to take advantage of the beauty, talent and experiences our region has to offer.

As a non-profit organization, the New Glasgow Farmers Market relies solely on table fees, membership fees, grants and funds raised to operate. Operating year round also means expenses now carry on accordingly. We also have some set up fees related to having two buildings…such as having to buy all new tables to fill the expanded space, we have a new kitchen to supply and will need new tents and more! Up until this past year, our main goal was to be year round and to have a heated facility and now that we achieved that goal, we can focus on our many new dreams and goals. Some of these are included on the site plans which have been posted but also a community garden, youth programs and so many more wonderful ideas….like anything else though it takes money to go along with all the vision and hard work.

All of this being said, we have come up with several unique experiences, all of which will help us raise funds that will not only benefit the Market, but will ultimately help us bring more positive change to our community.

Here is a list of what you can expect to see and participate in this year. We hope that not only will you share these events but that you attend them and if you have any visitors coming this summer, be sure to bring them as they will offer a true reflection of everything that is unique to our area and Nova Scotia in general. We are all about local and it’s a flavour you can’t get anywhere else!

This year, we’ve also made it easier for you and your guests from away to attend. The tickets for all of these events will be available to purchase online, not to worry though, you can still pick them up at the Market too! Be sure to follow us on Facebook, find the events and check back here often to find out when tickets go on sale!

AUGUST 27 FROM MARKET TO MAIN STREET

You don’t want to miss this one! A very special event, in fact the first of its kind in the country as far as we can tell!

Join us for a unique farm to table dining experience located in the heart of downtown New Glasgow, Nova Scotia!

Picture a warm summer’s night, a light breeze and the smell of fresh flowers in the air. Music glides down the street as friends and neighbours come together over an elegant meal made of fresh, local foods and fine wine produced by some of the finest producers in the area.

On this night, tables will line Provost Street, a main street of New Glasgow and guests will enjoy a cocktail/tapas hour, followed by a three course meal, connecting the farmer and food producer with their community in the most literal sense. Chef Jason Conway of J Conway Catering, will create a menu consisting of ingredients sourced from local producers and vendors found at the New Glasgow Farmers Market. Entertainment will be provided by just some of the talented musicians in our area and will be announced soon.

Tickets are only $55 per person for this unique experience, vegetarian options are available.

SEPTEMBER 17 OKTOBERFEST- MARKET STYLE

Come out and enjoy a mouth-watering meal that pays homage to the German tradition of Oktoberfest. But in true market style, it’s all about local too! Your meal will consist of items found at the Market and will be fully catered by chef Jason Conway of J Conway Catering. You will be able to enjoy local spirits and ales while listening to the some of the best musical talents that our area has to offer.

Mainstage will be Next Exit, Leah & Kyle and Mike and the MacPhersons.

Stay tuned for more information!

NOVEMBER 17 HOLIDAY DINNER

Celebrate a fantastic year and take a moment to relax before the holiday season ramps up and enjoy a gourmet meal with local market ingredients! Meal catered by J Conway Catering. Live music and great food, more details to come soon!

We are often approached by groups who are looking to raise funds. We can help! We have a unique opportunity that might interest you.

Our Market Kitchen is available on Market Saturdays. For a nominal fee you can rent our kitchen, create a simple menu and sell a hot meal to Market goers. This opportunity is open to restaurants, chefs as well as non-profit organizations (this includes school groups too) looking to raise funds. With 900-1100 visitors to the market every week, this is a unique way to get the word out about a new menu item at your restaurant, your catering service or to raise funds for your organization through your kitchen sales.

If you are interested in finding out more about this opportunity, please contact us at ngfarmmarket@gmail.com for all the details.

Inside the grand opening of the New Glasgow Farmers Market January 9th, 2016 Photo credit: the Pictou Advocate

This past Saturday, January 9th, marked the Grand Opening of our new building! This facility is the culmination of the dreams and hard work of so many who started the market years ago. Our Farmers Market is beginning its 8th year and it has come a long way. Because of that vision and hard work, many producers, artisans, musicians and so much more will now be able to benefit with a year round place to showcase all the incredible products and talent this amazing community has to offer.

It takes a village and a community to raise a market….the New Glasgow Farmers Market has some valuable partners that got us to this point. The Town of New Glasgow, the Municipality of the County of Pictou and ACOA together with the Market all contributed to help fund and worked with us to make this vision turn into a reality. Then there was Higgins Construction and all the workers associated with the project who worked very hard to make it all happen before the snow flew so that we could make a smooth transition and help the vendors make the most of the very important holiday season. And of course our vendors and board who have donated and supported in an effort to get us to this point. We are the New Glasgow Farmers Market Cooperative…and this really has been a cooperative effort by everyone in every way. This Market is not about one person or one business, it is about everyone and it is for everyone.

What It Really Means

That’s great, but what’s the big deal? Good question, this facility brings with it so much potential.

It means the Market can now operate year round, offering a place for local producers & artisans to sell their wares all year round which means more income for those who rely, or would like to rely on their trade for a living.

It means our community has a place to always find amazing local products under one roof, all year round. While of course in our climate, produce and vegetation can be a challenge in the winter, having a year round facility provides an opening for those who might have a love of gardening or small scale farming to fill a niche.

It means that we can now pursue the possibility of running a variety of programs that will benefit many. We will be able to start a kids corner so that kids have something to do while with their parents when they come to the Market. We haven’t had room for that before.

It means expanded space during our peak summer season. The extra space means we will be able to offer indoor and outdoor seating for our shoppers. It means we will be able to accept even more vendors to our market, effectively doubling our capacity. This means more variety of goods for customers and business opportunity for vendors. The additional space also means that we will be able to welcome more local, musical talent. We will now be able to have more than one busker every Saturday, providing exposure for local musicians and a great place to showcase local musical talent.

It means a positive impact on local commerce. When you buy from a vendor at the Market, your dollars go directly to a family. That vendor then has to make more items meaning they must purchase supplies to replenish their inventory, often at local businesses creating a ripple effect. Not to mention it gives a vendor more money in their pocket to spend in the community…your dollars stay here.

It means a greater contribution to food security on both a personal and community level. We give a place for producers to sell their food directly to you. It lowers the carbon footprint and the time/distance from farm to table is negligible with much of the produce being picked the morning or day before market. By providing a marketplace for local producers, it means you have greater access to local food and a market for the farmer to sell at. We welcome farmers/gardeners of all sizes and any time of year.

It means that we are able to provide a hub for the community to gather on Saturday mornings. Beginning January 16th, you will be able to buy a snack and coffee and sit and enjoy local music. There will be a space for you to sit inside or out. Talk to the vendors, meet your friends and neighbours. If you have children, there is a music class beginning on the January 16th that they can participate in for a half an hour every Saturday morning.

The sky really is the limit…we are excited for the possibilities and hope that you stay tuned!

Below are some links about the Grand Opening…if you weren’t able to make it out, then be sure to drop by this Saturday and make it part of your weekend routine! We are open for the Winter Market on Saturdays from 10am until 1pm

We really are Local, Fresh and Flourishing!

Mayor Barrie MacMillan (centre), Warden Ron Baillie, and Melissa Zimmerman, President of the New Glasgow Farmers Market cut the ribbon for the grand opening of the new year-round Farmers Market building in downtown New Glasgow. -photo courtesy of the Town of New Glasgow

This is the final installment of our first ever Holiday Gift Guide. This segment is dedicated to all the wonderful things that will go great in your home and will take your holiday entertaining to the next level.

Imagine beautiful pieces of art and photography by local artists that grace the walls. Wrap into a carefully handcrafted blanket that gives the feeling of warmth and comfort through the cold winter months while sipping a glass of wine, spirit or a finely brewed craft ale. What better gift?

And if you’re entertaining, wow your guests with food that has local flare. Not sure where to start? Well, that’s why Farmers Markets are so great, they are the only places you can speak to the very people that make, bake or grow your food. The producers at the Market are there because they are passionate about what they do and take pride in their creations. Who better to ask for advice on what to serve or how to cook it?

We hope that the Gift Guide has been helpful and that you refer back to it all through the year. There are tons of great and unique ideas for every occasion, not just this Holiday season. We also hope that you continue to support us as we embark in our new adventure into a year round venue. We will be open December 12th and 19th and will continue to have vendors and artisans throughout the winter months as we launch into 2016 with the grand opening of our Winter Market on January 9th at 10am. It takes your support and the continued support of the rest of the community to help ensure that you have access to local food and goods all year round. Keep your eye out here for news! We wish you all a very Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and all the best for a Local, Fresh & Flourishing New Year!

Without further delay here are some great ideas for Home and Entertaining:

FOR THE HOME

Snippets December 19thJames Fraser- Portrait Artist and customer sketch work, a personal gift that will last for generationsHandcrafted by Melissa- christmas decorations for the home…a perfect hostess gift…they will think of you every year!Jiggy Java- Jiggy has her handcrafted Nova Scotia tartan throws. Gift the gift of home. Easy to wrap, easy to ship!Wonderland Photography- beautiful photography prints by Heather MacDonald. Floral, to land and cityscapes, there is something here to please every decor. They come matted and ready to frame. For a real touch of home, add it to a care package with a Nova Scotia Tartan throw from Jiggy, a blanket from Lismore Sheep Farm. a bottle of one of our many great wines, spirits or ale and a food item of choice from Big Cove foods, Mister Products, Knotty Acres or some Chapel Cove Chocolate. Nova Scotia goodness!Lyn-Sue Wice- Watercolour artist. Many subjects to choose from, but Lyn Sue-s work is personal and nostalgic. A beautiful gift for anyone. Beautifully matter and ready to frame. Pair it with many of our other local offerings to make a unique gift that is authentically Nova Scotia.Piedmont Pottery- Handcrafterd pottery by Gary Fredericks, pair it with honey from MacD’s bees and chocolate from Chapel Cove or jams and jellies for tea and toast from MeMaws, Rita Heighton, Big Cove Foods or Knotty Acres.Quilted Chaos- Hand quilted bowls…used for the most important belongings. Fill with with other goodies from the market and wrap it in our Farmers Market tote bag . A practical and beautiful gift!The Spoonery- Handcrafted wooden serving ware that will stand the test of time. Hand carved by Matt Dondale. Add any one of these to a kitchen basket filled with Market goodies. Honeys, chocolate, jams and jellies, a market gift certificate with a pair of Matt’s “bear claws” for serving salad, the combinations are endless.!Lismore Sheep Farm- Wool Blankets, wool dryer balls, and so much more! December 12th & 19thArt By Dionne- From fridge magnets, to notepads and pens and art on canvas, Dionne has very unique pieces that make coveted gifts. Be sure to visit Dionne and she will help you find just the right thing!Samco Creations- Youth vendor Samuel Thompson has unique birdhouses, vinyl record bowls and Christmas tree decorations. Birds need warm winter housing too!

ENTERTAINING

Chapel Cove Chocolate- Chocolate for all occasions! A great hostess gift or favours at the table!Mister Products- A variety of condiments, sauces, baked good and pickled items. Ray has just what you need to make your food sparkle!MacD’s Bees- Sweeten up your guests…honey goes great in any recipe and also makes a great hostess gift!West Side Bistro- Meat pies, delicious cheesecakes, pies and pastries…save yourself some time and know that by doing that, you are not sacrificing quality! Good, local food with real ingredients!Uncle Leo’s Brewery- Whether is a host(ess) gift or for your meal. A fine , local craft Ale is always just the right thing. Rebecca and Karl will be able to help you select just the right beer! No Holiday party is complete without it!Little Dan D Farm- Farm raised, free range pork and chicken. Get a Market gift certificate for you recipient so they can come back and buy the Maple Syrup as soon as it’s ready! Local goodness….fresh breakfast sausages on Christmas morning! Nothing better!BLM Meats- Award winning, farm fresh, grass fed beef raised right here in Pictou County. The boys at BLM will help you pick just the right cut for you Christmas meals. From farm to table in just a few kilometers. Great tasting, award winning local beef!Petite Riviere Winery- Not sure which wine to choose? Christine from Petite Riviere has you covered. She will be able to suggest the right thing….from wine to ciders, she’s got it all!Knoydart Cheese Farm- A selection of hand made fine cheeses, perfect with wine and a fresh baguette from Mister Products. Fraser is with us the 3rd Saturday of every month, year round…so you will see him next on December 19th!Big Cove Foods- Spice it up! Sauces, spices, jellies and more…Big Cove has just what you need to add some pizzazz, goes great with any meat! Dave and Sarah can help you with just the right blend…and they have recipes too!Steinhart Distillery- Organic vodkas….unique gifts but fantastic for entertaining. Just ask them about the many different wonderful ways you can use it! Produced close to home, it’s just one more local favourite!Lakenman’s Farm- Susan is back on December 19th with all your Christmas veggies! Fresh & beautiful produce, be sure to hurry in, they won’t last long!St. Famille Winery- St Famille has a variety of wines from the valley that will go great with any meal! John and Lonny can help you choose just the right one!Bramble Hill Farm- Cathy has a selection of greens, just waiting for your special touch! Locally grown goodness is still possible! You will Bramble Hill farm with us regularly at the Winter Market.Little Dorset Farms- Meat pies, sausage rolls, bacon, chicken, beef and pok. Maureen has what you need!

Little Dorset Farm- Order your farm fresh, free range turkey, available for pick up on December 23rd!Ironworks Distillery- trios , $26 for three 50 ml bottles cranberry, blueberry and raspberry rum – light, amber, dark spirits – vodka, apple brandy and amber rumIronworks Distillery- A very unique gift…the Pear de Vie! Each year bottles are placed on tree and approximately half are harvested resulting in pear in bottle Pear de Vie for $125.00. The bottle is presented in wooden carved box with letter re: harvest.I Love Farmers Markets tote bags- wrap your hostess gift in this! available at the welcome table for $15…make it part of your gift and eliminate the need for gift wrapping!Knotty Acres- Jams and ajellies for all ocassions. Red Pepper Jelly, beer jellies made with Uncle leo’s ale…both go perfect over baked bries or creams cheese….ask Colin for more cooking ideas!

Part 4 of our Gift Guide series brings us to ak the ever puzzling question, what about the stockings??? This is one of the trickier things…there is a limit to how much underwear one can fit into a sock. So find something that is the total package…beautiful, practical, unique and budget friendly. These little gifts can still be local and not break the bank. And you can always combine them in a basket to make a beautiful main gift. There really is something for everyone at the New Glasgow Farmers Market.

I will say again, at risk of sound like a broken record, that there is so much more that is not shown here and we have new vendors every week….so the best method of operation is come out every week!

Pawsitively Yummy Dog Treats- You can’t forget Fido’s stocking!! Be sure to pick up some doggie treats…handmade and tasty….they’ll thank you for it!Pawsitively Yummy Dog TreatsThe Natural Edge- Forget the drug store this season, these natural persnal care products are just the right things! Conny has all the info you need and can make some great suggestions for just the right stocking stuffers!Big Cove Foods- Sugar and Spice and everything nice….that’s what great stockings are made of! from caramels to spice blends and more…check out what Big Cove has to offer! Lots of great ideas!Big Cove FoodsBig Cove FoodsMacD’s Bees- unpasteurized honey…Honey gives multiple health benefits in addition to making everything just abit sweeter! You can never be too sweet!Chapel Cove Chocolate- Have someone on the Naughty list? See?! We have something for them too! Chapel Cove has them covered, give them the tastiest lumps of coal around!Chapel Cove Chocolate- Reindeer and Christmas trees are just the right fit…put them in a stocking or add one to the top of a package for a real festive touch. Pick up a few different kinds and make a basket for the chocolate lover in your life! They will thank you, trust us!Chapel Cove Chocolate- Chocolate bark…fits great in a stocking, but also makes a very special hostess gift…pair it with a bottle of wine and you’ll be sure to get a return invite!MacD’s Bees- Toiletries, lotions, deodorant and more, all made with honey! The perfect local stocking stuffer!MacD’s Bees- Honey roasted pretzels and other goodies! The trick is not eating them all yourself first….scratch that you better just buy 2!MacD’s Bee’s- Lip Balm made with honey, comes in several flavoursMacD’s Bees- Flavour Shots, handy little pouches of pure, flavoured honey. Perfect stocking stuffer, they can be used in tea, hot chocolate or coffee…also great for diabetics when needed. Great for on the go!Mister Products- Ray has a variety of Sea salts, BBq sauces, Mustards and dressings…these fit great in a stocking or buy several and make it a basket! pair it with Market gift Certificate so your recipient can come pick out their other ingredients!The Natural Edge- beautiful soaps handmade by Conny! she has has scented salts perfect for the bath…everything you need for a pampering gift!Art by Dionne- magnets, mugs, pens, notepads and cards…all great for a stocking! Pair a mug with MacD’s flavour shots and some chocolate from Chapel Cove!Kenzie Sue’s Hairclips- Jen has just the right thing for your little one’s stocking. Headbands and hairclips and so much more, in varieties that your little ones will adore! December 5thKenzie Sue’s Hairclips December 5thKenzie Sue’s Hairclips December 5thHandcrafted by Melissa- these little buddies will bring a smile to any child’s face on Christmas morning….all sorts of characters!LeSoap- Bath Bombs and soaps of many varieties!LeSoap

This is a first in a series of posts that is aimed at guiding you to find just the right gift for everyone on your list. The New Glasgow Farmers Market has something for everyone and in every budget!

Why is buying local so important?

Well it’s like this, all items at the Market are hand made, baked or grown locally, they are not imported. By purchasing from one of our talented artisans or producers, you are directly supporting a local family and by proxy, the community at large. When a producer or artisan sells their items, they have to go make, bake or grow more. By doing so, they are putting money back into the community when they buy their supplies. Whether it’s supply stores, feed stores or other local shops, it all supports the community and promotes healthy economic growth in our County. That’s why Farmers Markets are a sustainable and very important part of the future.

The beauty of it is that you are giving a very special gift that was handcrafted with love, thought and care to give to someone special and the people on your list deserve nothing less.

Think outside of the big box!

As we begin, please keep in mind that we do have new vendors that come time to time or are new and may not be showcased here and there’s many more items than we have space to show, so that’s why it is important to come to the Market every week, you never know what hidden gem you’ll find!

‘Twas weeks before Christmas, when all through the town,
Citizens were asking, where are the best gifts around?;
The New Glasgow Farmers Market has gifts made with care,
Items are one of kind, so unique and rare;

The vendors were nestled all snug by their tables,
From jellies to jewelry to authors selling fables;
Woolen slippers from Lismore and MeMaws selling caps,
One of a kind gifts, that would not overlap.

When out of the door there arose such a tune,
With melodies so catchy you couldn’t help croon .
Away to the kitchen, the people ran to eat,
Outside they waited for the friends they would meet.

Pat’s cookies and coffee to take on the go,
“Hey, don’t forget my beer from Uncle Leo’s!”,
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
A nice bottle of wine from Petite Riviere!

Lakenman’s Farm, service so friendly and quick,
You just can’t resist eating all their fresh picks.
More rapid than eagles, seasons went and they came,
So happy to see patrons, they were called by their name;

“Now, SHEILA! now, BRENDA! now, AMANDA and SHARON!
On, PAT! on PAUL! on, JOHN and KAREN!
To the back of the dome! to the front of the wall!
Now shop away! shop away! shop away all!”

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they met with an obstacle, moved around to the side,
So around the market with precise skills they flew,
Filling reusable bags with local gifts and great food.

At MacD’s Bees they found lots of honey so sweet,
Then they got free range beef at BLM Meats.
Mister Products had sauces and condiments galore,
To go with Little Dorset’s farm fresh turkey and more.

Fresh breads and pies baked by Rita and Rilda,
And a scarf for mom that was Handcrafted by Melissa.
Eat Chapel Cove Chocolate and you’ll never look back
You’ll hide it and hoard it right in your pack!

The customer’s eyes — how they twinkled! They looked so merry!
That would be Ironworks liquor made from fresh berries!
Under the weather or not feeling like you?
Be sure to ask Conny, she’ll know just what to do.

So many talented artists the market does boast,
It’ll definitely be hard to tell which you like most;
Photography by Heather or Art By Dionne,
Maybe a sketch from James Fraser, I could go on and on!.

Big Cove Foods, they have your spice,
No matter which you choose, it’s sure to taste nice!
Too many vendors to mention, there’s not enough space,
So be sure to come meet them and talk face to face.

If you’re at a loss and you can’t give more ties,
Get a Farmers Market Gift certificate, it’s just the right size!
There’s one important thing about which we are vocal,
No matter what you do, strive to always buy local!

Our volunteers they will greet you and continue to work,
You’ll always get a real smile and never a smirk!
We appreciate our shoppers, they’re such a great sight,

MacD’s Bees is a small business owned by Nelson MacDonald of Loch Broom. He has been raising bees since he took over from his father almost 20 years ago. Fifteen years ago Nelson started out as “Country Blossom Apiary” attending the occasional craft show and selling Liquid Honey and Beeswax Candles. As each year passed items were added to the list of products made with the Honey & Beeswax extracted from the hives. Each product added was usually by request from their loyal customers. We are very proud to have them at the New Glasgow Farmers Market!

Honey Lollipops & Honey Roasted Pretzels are a popular items sold each Market day. When the Honey yield is good a favorite item is their Honey Jams & Jellies. During the Fall season and Christmas preparation MacD’s Bees sells Honey Peanut Brittle, Honey Nougat, Honey Sponge Toffee and Honey Lozenges.

Why we do what we do!!!!!

Fun Fact: Honey has no shelf life and is the perfect sweetener substitute. Many people who suffer from seasonal allergies get relief from eating a daily tablespoon of raw honey that is harvested close to home. Propolis, pollen, beeswax & honey (raw honey from the hive) are known for their medicinal remedies because of their antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.

Beeswax wax is precious stuff that is made from the nectar of flowers. To produce one pound of beeswax a worker bee eats about ten pounds of honey, flies 150,000 miles and visits millions of flower blossoms. Burning beeswax candles is the healthiest and best as it cleans the air of impurities by removing odours, dust, mold, dust mites and other allergens.

Just look at the photos below. A labour of love and hard work as with most local products from local producers, crafters and artisans! You can see and taste the difference local makes!

Next time you are at the Market, make sure to treat yourself to some honey and unique natural honey products from Nelson & Maureen!